Karen grew up on a horse ranch in the California desert where she became involved in breaking colts for the sport of polo. While traveling extensively for years, she began to draw the horses she trained. She moved to Aiken, South Carolina in the fall of 1999, purchasing Hilltop Farm where she breeds, raises and trains thoroughbreds for polo.

"I enjoy drawing horses in motion," says Karen, " and I love the precision of drawing with colored pencil's." Spending most of her days in the saddle gives Karen ample opportunity to study her favorite subject matter. "I draw other disciplines, but polo describes to me the ultimate equine athlete."